Automatic hen-marker.



R. M. WINNING.

AUTOMATIC HEN MARKER.

APPLICATION FILED JU LY 20. 19:5.

LfiLfiH. Patented Nov. 23, 1915.

norma n. WINNING, or caarnnvram, ILLINoIs.

AUTOMATIC. HEN-MEIER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

' Patented Nov. 23, 11915.

Application filed July 20, 1915. Serial No. 470,905.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ROBERT M. WINNING, a citizenof the United States, residing at Carterville, in the count of Williamson and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Automatic Hen-Marker; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same. This invention relates to the art of devices for the care of live stock, and particularly to an improved poultry ap aratus.

The invention aims to provi e improved means whereby hens may be automatically classified as to their propensity to enter a nest.

Another object of the invention is to pro vide a receptacle for marking fluid above and at the entrance to a nest, there being a pair of valves in an outlet flue from the receptacle, one above the other, and so operated bya hen actuated tilting member in said entrance, that the upper valve is opened and the lower valve is closed, when the hen enters the nest. However, when the hen leaves trance the upper valve is closed and the lower valve is opened, thereby permitting the marking fluid to drop upon the back of the hen.

In practical fields the details of construction may necessitate alterations, falling within the scope of what is claimed.

The invention comprises further features and combination of parts, as hereinafter set forth, shown in the'drawings and claimed.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a front ele- Vation of the entrance toa nest. Fig. 2 is a sectional view showing the lowermost valve ,opened and the uppermost valve closed.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but showing the reverse position of the valve.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates a nest having an entrance passage 2 thereto. Just at the mouth of the entrance an arch 3 is formed, and supported above the arch is a suitable container 4 for the reception of suitable marking fluid (paint, dye, ink, or the like). The container is provided with an extension tube 6 from its lower part. The extension tube 6 is provided with a pair of valves 7 and 8. Pivotally mounted in the entrance upon a loop 9 is a tilting platform or member 10, the end 11 of which is turn is pivotally the nest passing out through the ennormally down, that is, before a hen enters'the entrance. The valve stem 12 of the valve 7 has a lateral portion 13, which in linked to a link' 14, pivoted at its lower end to one side of the end 11 of the tilting member 10. The valve stem 16 of the valve 8 has a lateral part 17 pivotally linked at 18 to a link-19, which in turn at its lower end is pivoted to the opposite side of the end 11 of the tilting member 10. When the end 11 of the tilting member 10 is normally down, the lowermost valve 8 is opened, and the upper valve 7 is closed.

en a hen passes into the entrance and reaches the end 21 of the tilting member 10, the tilting member 10 is tilted upon its fulcrum, thereby causing the end 21 of the tilting member 10 to engage a catch 22, holding the tilting member 10 tilted, with the end 11 up, thereby closing the valve 8 and opening the upper valve7, the valve 8 acting to check the marking fluid in the tubular extension. After the hen has accomplished its purpose in the nest, it passes out through the entrance, and its weight, as the hen reaches the end 11 overcomes the action of the catch, releasing the end 21, and causing the end 11 to lower, which will close the valve 7 and open the valve 8, thereby permitting the marking fluid to drop upon its back, which will identify the hen from others which are not frequent visitors to the nest. After the hen leaves the entrance it is observed that the valves are set for the next hen.

The invention having been set forth, what is claimed as new and useful is 1. In a device as set forth, the combination of a nest having an entrance passage, 2. tiltable member inclined normally downwardly toward the front end of and being pivoted in the passage, a container for the reception of marking fluid supported above the 'mouth to the passage and having a downwardly extending tubular extension provided with upper and lower valves, and connections between the valve stems and one end of the tilting member, whereby as the ing member 1s rocked from its abnormal po-- pivoted in the passage, a container for the reception of marking fluid supported above the mouth to the passage and having a downwardly extending tubular extension provided with upper and lower valves, said valves having their valve stems provided with right angled parts, link connections between the right angled parts' and one end of the tiltin member, whereby as the tiltsition to its initial position, the upper valve is closed and the lower valve is opened,

whereby identifying fluid is dropped upon the back of the fowl, and a catch to engage one end of the tilting member to hold the 16 same 'in its abnormal position.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ROBERT M. WINNING.

Witnesses:

ELMER BEASLEY, J AS. WINNING. 

